Environmental barrier device

ABSTRACT

An environmental barrier device includes a first member and a second member. The first member may be constructed of a first sheet material and may have a memory retaining shape. The first member may be oriented in a generally upright position and is resiliently deflectable from the generally upright position. The second member may be secured to the first member and may be constructed of a second sheet material, which may be flexible and may define a filter media. The filter media may allow the passage of water and preclude the passage of dirt and silt. The environmental barrier device includes a lower portion for positioning below ground level and an upper portion for positioning above ground level. The environmental barrier device may be driven over or otherwise deflected from a generally upright orientation and the first member may automatically return the environmental barrier device to the generally upright orientation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/556,401, filed Nov. 3, 2006, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 60/792,382, filed Apr. 14, 2006, eachof which is expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety.

INTRODUCTION

The present teachings generally relate to environmental barrier devices.More particularly, the present teachings relate to such devices forreducing soil erosion at construction sites, for example, and a methodof reducing soil erosion at construction sites.

Exposed soil areas are subject to water erosion and sediment movementduring and after storm water events. Materials and methods have beenused to eliminate soil loss or movement across construction sites fromsuch events. A silt fence is a temporary barrier used to interceptsediment-laden runoff from small areas. Silt fences are effective intrapping sediment from all activities that involve soil disturbance.They can be used on adjacent properties, adjacent bodies of water, largesloping areas, near streams and waterways, near surface drainage waysand other areas to prevent water erosion and sediment movement.

A conventional silt fence includes a fabric portion and a plurality ofstakes. The fabric portion extends between the stakes. The stakes serveto anchor and support the fabric portion. The fabric functions toprevent unwanted erosion and sediment movement while permitting thepassage of rainwater.

While conventional silt fences have proven to be satisfactory for theirintended use of preventing erosion and sediment movement, they are allassociated with drawbacks and limitations. In this regard, constructionvehicles may easily knock over a conventional silt fence and render itinoperative for its intended use. Accordingly, it remains a need in thepertinent art to provide an environmental barrier which prevents watererosion and sediment movement while overcoming the drawbacks andlimitations associated with known structures, including but not limitedto those discussed above.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect, the present teachings provide an environmentalbarrier device that includes a first member and a second member. Thefirst member may be constructed of a first sheet material and may have amemory retaining shape. The first member may be normally oriented in agenerally upright position and resiliently deflectable from thegenerally upright position. The second member may be secured to thefirst member and may be constructed of a second sheet material. Thesecond sheet material may be flexible and may define a filter media. Thefilter media may allow the passage of water through the barrier deviceand preclude the passage of dirt and silt through the barrier device. Alower portion of the first member may be positioned below ground leveland an upper portion positioned above ground level. The environmentalbarrier device may be driven over or otherwise deflected from agenerally upright orientation and the first member may automaticallyreturn the environmental barrier device to the generally uprightorientation.

According to another aspect, the present teachings provide anenvironmental barrier device for permitting the passage of rain waterand preventing the passage of soil. The environmental barrier deviceincludes a flexible member having a length and a height. The length issubstantially greater than the height. The flexible member has at leasta portion that is a free-standing portion. The free-standing portion isdeflectable from a generally vertical orientation when subjected to aload. The free-standing portion is further memory retaining so as toreturn to the generally vertical orientation when the load is removed.The environmental barrier device additionally includes means forpermitting the passage of rain water through the flexible member andmeans for preventing the passage of soil through the flexible member.

According to still another aspect, the present teachings provide anenvironmental barrier that includes a support member and an uprightmember that is supported by the support member such that the uprightmember is supported upright to limit movement of a solid particulate.The upright member is also resiliently flexible such that the uprightmember recovers to a generally upright position after a load applied tothe upright member is removed.

Further areas of applicability of the present teachings will becomeapparent from the description and appended claims provided hereinafter.It should be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating the various examples of the presentteachings, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are notintended to limit the scope of the teachings.

DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from thedetailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an environmental view illustrating an environmental barrierdevice in accordance with the present teachings, the environmentalbarrier device shown operatively installed at a construction site, aconstruction vehicle shown crossing the environmental barrier device andthereby applying a load to the environmental device to deflect it from anormally upright orientation.

FIG. 2 is a view of a portion of FIG. 1 illustrating the environmentalbarrier device after the construction vehicle has passed, theenvironmental barrier device resiliently returning to a generallyvertical orientation after the load of the vehicle has been removed.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the environmental barrier device in accordancewith the present teachings and as shown installed in FIG. 1, theenvironmental barrier device shown in cross section.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view of an environmental barrier device inaccordance with the present teachings, the environmental barrier deviceshown operatively associated with a mounting bracket suitable fortemporarily securing the environmental barrier device to a curb, forexample.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged rear view of an environmental barrier device inaccordance with the present teachings, the environmental barrier deviceshown operatively associated with a mounting bracket suitable fortemporarily securing the environmental barrier device to a curb, forexample.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description of the present teachings is merely exemplaryin nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, itsapplication, or uses.

With general reference to the drawings, an environmental barrier deviceconstructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention isillustrated and generally identified at reference character 10. Theenvironmental barrier device may be used at a construction site, forexample. In this regard, the environmental barrier device 10 may be usedto reduce soil erosion. In one application, the environmental barrierdevice 10 may be positioned proximate a curb 12 (as shown in FIGS. 1 and2) or other construction site boundary. Alternatively, the environmentalbarrier device 10 may be positioned in a trench 14 formed in undisturbedsoil 16. The trench 14 may be back-filled with disturbed soil 18.

The environmental barrier device 10 may be oriented in a generallyvertical plane and define a barrier for reducing soil erosion. Theenvironmental barrier device 10 may function to prevent the passage ofsilt from a construction site side to a street side, for example.Additionally, the environmental barrier device 10 may provide for thepassage of water (e.g., rain water) from the construction site side tothe street side.

The environmental barrier device 10 may be anchored in the ground andotherwise be a self-standing structure. In this regard, it may not benecessary to support the environmental barrier device 10 with stakes orsimilar structure conventionally used to support a silt fence. Incertain applications, the environmental barrier device 10 may beanchored approximately eight inches below ground level.

The environmental barrier device 10 may be a resilient structure that isdeflectable under load and which resiliently returns to a generallyvertical orientation after the load is removed. The environmental viewof FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of the environmental barrier device 10deflected from the generally vertical orientation by the passage of aconstruction vehicle 20. In FIG. 2, the construction vehicle 20 haspassed and the deflected portion of the environmental barrier device 10automatically and resiliently returns to its generally verticalorientation.

The environmental barrier device 10 includes a flexible member 22 havinga length and a height. As will be addressed below, the length may besubstantially greater than the height. The environmental barrier device10 may additionally include means for permitting the passage of rainwater through the flexible member 22. The environmental barrier device10 may further include means for preventing the passage of soil throughthe flexible member 22.

The flexible member 22 may include an upper portion 22A and a lowerportion 22B. As will be discussed further below, the lower portion 22Bis intended to be buried or otherwise anchored with respect to theground. The upper portion 22A is intended to upwardly extend from theground. In certain applications, the lower portion 22B need not have thesame flexibility nor resiliency of the upper portion 22A.

The flexible member 22 of the environmental barrier device 10 may be acomposite structure having a plurality of components or layers. Theflexible member 22 may generally include a first member or first layer24 and a second member or second layer 26. The first member 24 may beconstructed of a sheet material. The first member 24 may have a memoryretaining shape and may provide the flexible member 22 with inherentresiliency to return to the generally vertical orientation or uprightposition.

The first member 24 may be constructed from a polyolefin foam sheet. Onesuitable material is commercially available under the registeredtrademark Volara® from Sekisui America Corporation. Other materialshaving suitable resiliency, strength and/or durability characteristicsmay be alternatively utilized.

The means for permitting the passage of rain water may include aplurality of holes or apertures 28 formed in the first member 24. Theholes 28 may be round, oval, any other suitable shape or combinations ofshapes to permit the passage of rain water through the first member 24.It will be appreciated that the location of the holes 28, the holepattern, the size of the holes 28 and the number of holes 28 may bevaried from application to application within the scope of the presentteachings. Alternative to holes 28, the means for permitting the passageof rain water may comprise a sheet material that allows for the passageof rain water but prevents the passage of soil.

The means for preventing the passage of soil through the flexible member22 may include a second member or second layer 26. The second member 26may be a filter member. The second member 26 may be positioned adjacentone of the sides of the first member 24 so as to cover the holes 28. Thesecond member 26 may be constructed of a second sheet material. Thesecond member 26 may be flexible and may define a filter media. Thesecond member 26 may allow the passage of water and preclude the passageof dirt and silt. In one application, the second member 26 may be anylon mesh. Alternatively, any other material suitable for filteringsoil from rain water may be employed. In certain applications, the meansfor filtering may simply be the holes 28 which are sized and provided insuch number to provide the necessary filtering. The second member 26 maybe secured to the first member 24. In this regard, the second member 26may be glued or laminated to the first member 24. Alternatively, thesecond member 26 may be stitched or otherwise suitably secured to thefirst member 24.

The flexible member 22 may additionally include a third member or thirdlayer 30. As with the first member 24, the third member 30 may beconstructed of a sheet material and may have a memory retaining shape.Again, while other materials may be employed, the third member 30 may beconstructed of a polyolefin foam sheet. One suitable material iscommercially available under the registered trademark Volora®. In amanner similar to the first member 24, the third member 30 may include aplurality of holes or apertures. The second member 26 may be disposedbetween the first member 24 and the third member 30. The third member 30may be secured to the first member 24 and/or the second member 26 byadhesive, lamination, stretching or any other suitable manner.

The flexible member 22 of the environmental barrier device 10 may bemade in various lengths and heights. In one application, the flexiblemember 22 may be formed to have a length from approximately 50 feet toapproximately 200 feet. The environmental barrier device 10 may beformed to have a height from approximately 20 inches to approximately 36inches. In certain applications, it may be desirable to cut preformedsections to desired lengths.

Separate lengths of the flexible member 22 may be joined with mechanicalfasteners 32. The flexible member 22 may be preformed with holes 34 (seeFIG. 5, for example) for receiving the mechanical fasteners 32. Thefasteners 32 may be used for splicing or repairs. One suitablemechanical fastener 32 is a two-piece fastener commercially availablefrom Micro Plastics, Inc. of Flippin, Ark., as Part No. 27QB701000B.Other manners of coupling distinct lengths of the flexible member 22,including non-mechanical manners of fastening, may be employed withinthe scope of the present teachings.

In use, the lower portion 22B of the flexible member 22 may be buried orotherwise anchored relative to the ground. For example, approximatelyeight inches of the flexible member 22 may be set below grade foranchoring. Backfilling may be provided to support the flexible member22.

In certain applications, it may be desirable to use the flexible member22 with a bracket 40. The bracket 40 may be generally W-shaped and mayengage the lower portion 22B of the flexible member 22. The bracket 40may engage a fastener 42 (see FIG. 5). In this regard, fasteners 42 maybe mounted in a curb 12 and the bracket 40 may be used for temporarilysecuring the flexile member 22 relative to the curb 12 prior to thebackfilling soil adjacent the curb 12.

It will now be appreciated that an environmental barrier device 10 isprovided that facilitates the entry and egress of construction vehiclesabout a construction site. A device 10 is shown and described that maybe provided in a roll to facilitate shipping and handling. Uponcompletion of construction at a construction site, the environmentalbarrier device 10 may be removed for subsequent re-use.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and,thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention areintended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations arenot to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

1. An environmental barrier device comprising: a first memberconstructed of a first sheet material, the first member having a memoryretaining shape, the first member normally oriented in a generallyupright position and resiliently deflectable from the generally uprightposition; a second member proximate the first member, the second memberdefining a filter media, the filter media allowing the passage of waterthrough the first member and precluding the passage of dirt and siltthrough the first member; and whereby the environmental barrier devicemay be driven over or otherwise deflected from a generally uprightorientation and the first member automatically returns the environmentalbarrier device to the generally upright orientation.
 2. Theenvironmental barrier device of claim 1, wherein the first memberincludes a plurality of apertures.
 3. The environmental barrier deviceof claim 1, further comprising a third member cooperating with the firstand second members to define a composite structure, the second memberdisposed between the first and third members.
 4. The environmentalbarrier device of claim 1, wherein the environmental barrier device isanchored in the ground and otherwise self-supporting.
 5. Theenvironmental barrier device of claim 1, wherein the second member is asecond sheet member.
 6. The environmental barrier device of claim 1, incombination with a retainer.
 7. The environmental barrier device ofclaim 6, wherein the retainer engages the first member and is mountableon a fastener.
 8. An environmental barrier device for permitting thepassage of rain water and preventing the passage of soil, theenvironmental device comprising: a flexible member having a length and aheight, the length being substantially greater than the height, theflexible member having at least a portion being a free-standing portion,the free-standing portion being resiliently deflectable from a generallyvertical orientation when subjected to a load, the free-standing portionfurther being memory retaining so as to return to the generally verticalorientation when the load is removed; means for permitting the passageof rain water through the flexible member; and means for preventing thepassage of soil through the flexible member; whereby the environmentalbarrier device may be driven over or otherwise deflected from thegenerally vertical orientation and the free-standing portionautomatically returns to the generally vertical orientation.
 9. Theenvironmental barrier device of claim 8, wherein the means forpermitting the passage of rain water includes a plurality of aperturespassing through the flexible member.
 10. The environmental barrierdevice of claim 8, wherein the flexible member is a composite structureincluding a plurality of layers.
 11. The environmental barrier device ofclaim 8, wherein the means for preventing the passage of soil throughthe flexible member includes a filter media.
 12. The environmentalbarrier device of claim 11, wherein the filter media covers the meansfor permitting the passage of rain water.
 13. The environmental barrierdevice of claim 10, wherein at least one layer of the plurality oflayers is a foam sheet.
 14. The environmental barrier device of claim13, wherein the foam sheet is a polyolefin foam sheet.
 15. Theenvironmental barrier device of claim 10, wherein the compositestructure includes first and second foam sheets and a filter layerdisposed between the first and second foam sheets.
 16. The environmentalbarrier device of claim 10, in combination with a bracket.
 17. Theenvironmental barrier device of claim 16, wherein the bracket is carriedby the flexible member and is operative to engage a fastener.
 18. Anenvironmental barrier comprising: a support member; and an uprightmember that is supported by the support member such that the uprightmember is supported upright to limit movement of a solid particulate,the upright member also being resiliently flexible such that the uprightmember recovers to a generally upright position after a load applied tothe upright member is removed.
 19. The environmental barrier of claim18, wherein the upright member includes at least a first sheet layer.20. The environmental barrier of claim 18, wherein the support member iscoupled to a lower end of the upright member, and wherein the supportmember is configured to be buried underground to support the uprightmember upright.
 21. The environmental barrier of claim 18, wherein theupright member and the support member are integrally attached.
 22. Theenvironmental barrier of claim 18, wherein the upright member allows afluid to pass therethrough and limits passage of the solid particulatetherethrough.
 23. The environmental barrier of claim 22, wherein theupright member includes a first sheet layer with a plurality ofapertures, the first sheet layer limiting passage of the solidparticulate therethrough and allowing the fluid to pass through theplurality of apertures.
 24. The environmental barrier of claim 23,wherein the upright member includes a filter layer that covers at leastsome of the plurality of apertures.
 25. The environmental barrier ofclaim 24, further comprising a second sheet layer with a plurality ofapertures, and wherein the filter layer is disposed between the firstand second sheet layers.
 26. The environmental barrier of claim 18,wherein the upright member is divided into a plurality of sections thatare coupled by a fastener.
 27. The environmental barrier of claim 18,further comprising a bracket that includes a support portion and afastening portion, wherein the support portion spans at least a portionof at least one of the upright member and the support member to therebysupport the at least one of the upright member and the support member,and wherein the fastening portion is operative to couple to a fastenerfor retaining the environmental barrier.